NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 146, 22 June 1899, Page 3

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY LEAGUE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WHAKAPIRAU, June 21.

A public meeting was held in the Te Pahi No. 2 School on Tuesday evening, the 20th inst., to consider the advisability of forming a branch of the North Auckland Railway League in this district. Mr W. H. Jackman, J.P., was voted to the chair and laid before the meeting the business of the evening. He called upon Mr E. Ford, a member of the deputation that waited upon the Premier in Auckland a little time ago re the railway to address the meeting. This gentleman stated that several Auckland gentlemen and he waited upon the Premier and placed before him the reasons why the railway should be extended to Whangarei. The Premier was of opinion, Mr Ford said, that a proper railway communication with the North would greatly increase the prodticts of that part of the island. He also stated that £80,----000 would be set apart for the North Auckland railway, and that he was prepared to borrow provided that the people wish him to do so.

Mr Frank Colbeck said he had been offered 10/- for fat lambs in December, and the Freezing Company was willing to buy any quantity at the same price. A railway to Auckland would put the North into a position to supply a constant stream of sheep and cattle to the Auckland markets. The butchers were offering 4d per Ib. for pork, and. the North would grow pork if nothing else. But he was convinced that it would grow beef and mutton also. Beef was not made here because there was no sale for it in the summer-time, the only time at which we can supply it under the existing circumstances. The North of Auckland was but poorly represented in the House. A sum of £10,000, voted to the North Auckland railway line, had been spent upon the ThamesPaeroa line.

Jt was proposed by Mr 11. McMurdo and seconded by Mr R. L. Paige, "That a branch of the North Auckland Railway League be formed at Whakapirau." Carried unanimously. Twenty-five members were enrolled in the room.

The chairman announced that there was another matter down on the order paper, and that was the selection of a person to represent the Waitemata electorate in the Liberal interests next general election. The names of Mr E. Ford of Maungaturoto, and Mr F. Colbeck of WTiakapirau were submitted to the meeting. A vote was taken and resulted in the selection of Mr P. Colbock. A hearty vote of thanks to the chair terminated one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings that has been held in Whakapirau for some time.